Associate Professor Rachael Cordina
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Associate Professor Rachael Cordina

Associate Professor
Medicine, Central Clinical School
Phone
02 9515 6111
Fax
02 9550 6262

Rachael Cordina is a Staff Specialist in Cardiology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney with a special interest in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. She spent 2 years in London, UK at the Heart and Royal Brompton Hospitals undertaking clinical and echocardiographic ACHD fellowships after completing her PhD studies through the University of Sydney focused on pathophysiology in adults with complex congenital heart disease.

Clinical research

Adult Cogenital Heart Disease

The Fontan circulation

General cardiology

Pregnancy

Echocardiography

Exercise physiology and training

Vascular function

Peter Bancroft Award for PhD Thesis, Sydney Medical School 2014

Winner of Young Investigator Award for Cardiovascular Disease in the Young Council, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2012

The Australian Medical Association Prize for General Practice 2001

The University of NSW Paediatric Staff Prize for Outstanding Performance 2001

Project titleResearch student
Implementing, optimising and utilising a nationwide database of adults with congenital heart disease. Jason CHAMI
Nutrition in people living with a Fontan CirculationMelanie CLODE
Gaps in Care for Australian Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) where, why and how can we address themCheryl DICKSON
Exercise for children and adults living with moderate and complex congenital heart disease: adaptations barriers and interventionsSally GOSBELL
Establishing and Utilising a Linked National Registry for Congenital Heart Disease.Larissa LLOYD

Publications

Journals

  • Sholler, G., Donovan, S., Eastaugh, L., Elliott, C., Fletcher, J., Justo, R., Kasparian, N., Kelly, A., Morsman, D., Nicolae, M., Orr, Y., Ayer, J., Cordina, R., et al (2024). Australian National Standards of Care for Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD Standards). 1st Edition. Heart, Lung, and Circulation. [More Information]
  • Verrall, C., Tran, D., Kasparian, N., Williams, T., Oxenham, V., Ayer, J., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R. (2024). Cognitive Functioning and Psychosocial Outcomes in Adults with Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study. Pediatric Cardiology. [More Information]
  • Kearney, K., Keogh, A., Kotlyar, E., Lavender, M., McWilliams, T., Williams, T., Whitford, H., Weintraub, R., Wrobel, J., Ellender, C., Lau, E., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R., et al (2024). Impact of Left Heart Disease Risk Factors on Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Therapy. Chest. [More Information]

2024

  • Sholler, G., Donovan, S., Eastaugh, L., Elliott, C., Fletcher, J., Justo, R., Kasparian, N., Kelly, A., Morsman, D., Nicolae, M., Orr, Y., Ayer, J., Cordina, R., et al (2024). Australian National Standards of Care for Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD Standards). 1st Edition. Heart, Lung, and Circulation. [More Information]
  • Verrall, C., Tran, D., Kasparian, N., Williams, T., Oxenham, V., Ayer, J., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R. (2024). Cognitive Functioning and Psychosocial Outcomes in Adults with Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study. Pediatric Cardiology. [More Information]
  • Kearney, K., Keogh, A., Kotlyar, E., Lavender, M., McWilliams, T., Williams, T., Whitford, H., Weintraub, R., Wrobel, J., Ellender, C., Lau, E., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R., et al (2024). Impact of Left Heart Disease Risk Factors on Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Therapy. Chest. [More Information]

2023

  • Karimi Galougahi, K., Zhang, Y., Kienzle, V., Liu, C., Quek, L., Patel, S., Lau, E., Cordina, R., Figtree, G., Celermajer, D. (2023). β3 adrenergic agonism: A novel pathway which improves right ventricular-pulmonary arterial hemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Physiological Reports, 11(1). [More Information]
  • Chandrasekara, S., Lau, E., Anderson, J., Collins, N., Cordina, R., Corrigan, C., Dwyer, N., Feenstra, J., Horrigan, M., Keogh, A., et al (2023). Acute Vasoreactivity Testing and Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Call for Increased Testing. Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 32(2), 156-165. [More Information]
  • King, G., Buratto, E., Cordina, R., Iyengar, A., Grigg, L., Kelly, A., Bullock, A., Ayer, J., Alphonso, N., d'Udekem, Y., et al (2023). Atrioventricular septal defect in Fontan circulation: Right ventricular dominance, not valve surgery, adversely affects survival. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 165(2), 424-433. [More Information]

2022

  • Verrall, C., Chen, J., Yeh, C., Mackay, M., D'udekem, Y., Winlaw, D., Iyengar, A., Ayer, J., Gentles, T., Cordina, R., et al (2022). A diffusion MRI study of brain white matter microstructure in adolescents and adults with a Fontan circulation: Investigating associations with resting and peak exercise oxygen saturations and cognition. NeuroImage: Clinical, 36. [More Information]
  • Payne, E., Garden, F., D’udekem, Y., McCallum, Z., Wightman, H., Zannino, D., Zentner, D., Cordina, R., Weintraub, R., Wilson, T., Ayer, J. (2022). Body Mass Index Trajectory and Outcome Post Fontan Procedure. Journal of the American Heart Association, 11(18). [More Information]
  • Tran, D., Gibson, H., Maiorana, A., Verrall, C., Baker, D., Clode, M., Lubans, D., Zannino, D., Bullock, A., Ferrie, S., Gosbell, S., Davis, G., Keech, A., Puranik, R., Majumdar, A., Ayer, J., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R., et al (2022). Exercise Intolerance, Benefits, and Prescription for People Living With a Fontan Circulation: The Fontan Fitness Intervention Trial (F-FIT)—Rationale and Design. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 9, 799125. [More Information]

2021

  • Rehan, R., Kotchetkova, I., Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2021). Adult Congenital Heart Disease Survivors at Age 50 Years: Medical and Psychosocial Status. Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 30(2), 261-266. [More Information]
  • Kearney, K., Gold, J., Corrigan, C., Dhital, K., Boshell, D., Haydock, D., McGiffin, D., Wilson, M., Collins, N., Cordina, R., Lau, E., et al (2021). Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in Australia and New Zealand: An analysis of the PHSANZ registry. Respirology, 26(12), 1171-1180. [More Information]
  • Puranik, R., Tann, O., Occleshaw, C., Celermajer, D., Grigg, L., Bullock, A., Chen, S., Ugander, M., Cordina, R., Ayer, J. (2021). CMRI in Congenital Heart Disease Patients: Concerns Over Patient Safety Because of Inadequate Accreditation Procedures for MRI Scanning and Reporting. Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 30(8), e86-e87. [More Information]

2020

  • Powell, A., Wittekind, S., Alsaied, T., Lubert, A., Chin, C., Veldtman, G., Cordina, R., Katz, D., Mays, W., Knecht, S., et al (2020). Body Composition and Exercise Performance in Youth With a Fontan Circulation: A Bio-Impedance Based Study. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(24), e018345. [More Information]
  • Tran, D., D'Ambrosio, P., Verrall, C., Attard, C., Briody, J., D'Souza, M., Fiatarone Singh, M., Ayer, J., d'Udekem, Y., Twigg, S., Davis, G., Celermajer, D., Cordina, R. (2020). Body Composition in Young Adults Living With a Fontan Circulation: The Myopenic Profile. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9, 1-15. [More Information]
  • Ayer, J., Anderson, B., Gentles, T., Cordina, R. (2020). CSANZ Position Statement on COVID-19 From the Paediatric and Congenital Council? Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 29(9), e217-e221. [More Information]

2019

  • Verrall, C., Blue, G., Loughran-Fowlds, A., Kasparian, N., Gecz, J., Walker, K., Dunwoodie, S., Cordina, R., Sholler, G., Badawi, N., Winlaw, D. (2019). 'Big issues' in neurodevelopment for children and adults with congenital heart disease. Open Heart, 6(2), 1-9. [More Information]
  • Nicolae, M., Gentles, T., Strange, G., Tanous, D., Disney, P., Bullock, A., Grigg, L., Chen, S., Pressley, L., Cordina, R., Celermajer, D., et al (2019). Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Australia and New Zealand A Call for Optimal Care. Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 28(4), 521-529. [More Information]
  • Wilson, T., d’Udekem, Y., Winlaw, D., Cordina, R., Ayer, J., Gentles, T., Weintraub, R., Grigg, L., Cheung, M., Cain, T., et al (2019). Creatinine-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate in patients with a Fontan circulation. Congenital Heart Disease, 14(3), 454-463. [More Information]

2018

  • Moore, B., Anderson, R., Nisbet, A., Kalla, M., du Plessis, K., d'Udekem, Y., Bullock, A., Cordina, R., Grigg, L., Celermajer, D., McGuire, M., et al (2018). Ablation of Atrial Arrhythmias After the Atriopulmonary Fontan Procedure: Mechanisms of Arrhythmia and Outcomes. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 4(10), 1338-1346. [More Information]
  • Moore, B., Cordina, R., McGuire, M., Celermajer, D. (2018). Adverse effects of amiodarone therapy in adults with congenital heart disease. Congenital Heart Disease, 13(6), 944-951. [More Information]
  • Yu, C., Moore, B., Kotchetkova, I., Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2018). Causes of death in a contemporary adult congenital heart disease cohort. Heart, 104(20), 1678-1682. [More Information]

2017

  • Dennis, M., Moore, B., Kotchetkova, I., Pressley, L., Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2017). Adults with repaired tetralogy: Low mortality but high morbidity up to middle age. Open Heart, 4(1), 1-6. [More Information]
  • King, G., Gentles, T., Winlaw, D., Cordina, R., Bullock, A., Grigg, L., Alphonso, N., Radford, D., Zannino, D., Buratto, E., et al (2017). Common atrioventricular valve failure during single ventricle palliation. European Journal Of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 51(6), 1037-1043. [More Information]
  • Moonen, A., Garsia, R., Youssef, P., Torzillo, P., Corte, T., Boehm, C., Cordina, R., Celermajer, D., Lau, E. (2017). Outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy in Australia: is monotherapy adequate? Internal Medicine Journal, 47(10), 1124-1128. [More Information]

2016

  • Celermajer, D., Strange, G., Cordina, R., Selbie, L., Sholler, G., Winlaw, D., Alphonso, N., Justo, R., Nicholae, M., Kasparian, N., et al (2016). Congenital Heart Disease Requires a Lifetime Continuum of Care: A call for a Regional Registry. Heart, Lung, and Circulation, 25(8), 750-754. [More Information]

2015

  • Cordina, R., Leaney, J., Golzan, S., Grieve, S., Celermajer, D., Graham, S. (2015). Ophthalmological consequences of cyanotic congenital heart disease: vascular parameters and nerve fibre layer. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 43(2), 115-123. [More Information]
  • Cordina, R., Nakhla, S., O'Meagher, S., Leaney, J., Graham, S., Celermajer, D. (2015). Widespread endotheliopathy in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Cardiology in the Young, 25(3), 511-519. [More Information]

2014

  • Cordina, R., Grieve, S., Barnett, M., Lagopoulos, J., Malitz, N., Celermajer, D. (2014). Brain volumetric, regional cortical thickness and radiographic findings in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease. NeuroImage: Clinical, 4, 319-325. [More Information]

2013

  • Cordina, R., O'Meagher, S., Karmali, A., Rae, C., Liess, C., Kemp, G., Puranik, R., Singh, N., Celermajer, D. (2013). Resistance training improves cardiac output, exercise capacity and tolerance to positive airway pressure in Fontan physiology. International Journal of Cardiology, 168(2), 780-788. [More Information]
  • Cordina, R., O'Meagher, S., Gould, H., Rae, C., Kemp, G., Pasco, J., Celermajer, D. (2013). Skeletal muscle abnormalities and exercise capacity in adults with a Fontan circulation. Heart, 99(20), 1530-1534. [More Information]
  • Schuuring, M., Bouma, B., Cordina, R., Gatzoulis, M., Budts, W., Mullen, M., Vis, J., Celermajer, D., Mulder, B. (2013). Treatment of segmental pulmonary artery hypertension in adults with congenital heart disease. International Journal of Cardiology, 164(1), 106-110. [More Information]

2012

  • Golzan, S., Leaney, J., Cordina, R., Avolio, A., Celermajer, D., Graham, S. (2012). Spontaneous retinal venous pulsatility in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Heart and Vessels: an international journal, 27(6), 618-623. [More Information]
  • Cordina, R., Celermajer, D., McGuire, M. (2012). Systemic venous anatomy in congenital heart disease: implications for electrophysiologic testing and catheter ablation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 33(2), 143-149. [More Information]

2010

  • Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2010). Chronic cyanosis and vascular function: implications for patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Cardiology in the Young, 20(3), 242-53. [More Information]
  • Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2010). Late-Onset Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension After a Successful Atrial or Arterial Switch Procedure for Transposition of the Great Arteries. Pediatric Cardiology, 31(2), 238-241. [More Information]
  • Cordina, R., Celermajer, D. (2010). Therapeutic approaches in adults with congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. European Respiratory Review, 19(118), 300-307. [More Information]

Selected Grants

2022

  • Brain injury and dysfunction in young adults with complex congenital heart disease: Defining the natural history and potentially modifiable contributors, Cordina R, NSW Health/Early Mid-Career Researcher Grant

2020

  • Congenital Heart Fitness Intervention Trial: CH-FIT, Cordina R, Celermajer D, Ayer J, Tran D, Davis G, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal)/MRFF - Accelerated Research - Congenital Heart Disease